Classique | Stillwater Artisanal Ales

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The can says "Postmodern beer". I can't tell if these guys have their tongues firmly planted in their cheeks or are gigantic douchebags. It poured a cloudy yellow with a big fluffy white head. The smell is some grassy hops and a bit of citrus. The taste is dominated by the hops. It's piney and grassy, very little malt sweetness to offset. The astringency of it lingers on the palate. The mouthfeel is pretty aggressively carbonated. I dunno, I was hoping for something a little more. Thoroughly underwhelming.

Classique is bright lemon yellow, somewhat foggy, and has a sudsy head - a fairly classic look indeed. Interestingly enough, its colour almost matches that of the can. A small bit of sediment made its way in but these tiny specs of yeast don't disturb the ultra-bright highlights.

The selling feature of this beer is supposed to be that it's made with corn and rice. The brewer also promises "loads of your favourite old-school American hops". But the real signature here, as with so many Stillwater offerings, is the yeast. It smells 'farmhouse-y'.

What do I mean by that? There are zestful, lightly peppered notions of orchard fruits and plenty of straw-like cereal grain. These impressions, though strongest on the nose, spill over onto the palate with strong flavours of hay, lemon, white pepper, and apples. There's no shortage of mouthfeel either; this is hearty, grainy, and pleasantly bitter. And for 4.5% it's pretty filling.

It's ironic isn't it: most beers brewed with corn and rice won't admit to it but their cloying and distasteful flavours make it obvious, while Classique promotes its use of those adjuncts and is full of wholesome, distinguishing character - little to none of which comes from the corn or rice.

Is a good rendition of an average, dull-ish beer good or is still merely an average, dull-ish beer only slightly better? Answer that question and you have my opinion of this "postmodern deconstruction of the American industrial lager". While the choice between Classique and any similar mass-produced beer is a clear no-brainer, I don't know that it's something I'd reach for often.

Hazy in appearance with scents of lemon, grass, dandelion, peppercorn and musty basement. Taste is tangy with lemon and pine leading the way followed by a slight musty and funky flavor. Mouthfeel is crisp . . . way to crisp for this style in my opinion. Overall I would have expected better from Stillwater but I see what they are going for and it is sure to please some.

On tap. Hazy yellow color with an impressive head that recedes quickly and leaves a small ring of lacing. Aroma of fruity esters, pepper, and floral hops. Body of slightly sour yeast, bright floral hops, pepper, and spices with a pleasant hoppy finish. Medium body and high carbonation.
Well spiced and balanced farmhouse that lays down a complex body. Very nice and refreshing year rounder. The yeast and hops stand out but don't take over. Also a wide distribution.

A brilliant gold, this Saison is bright and clear. A large, clean white head is heavy and rocky, a strong one nearly a full finger's height after peaking at two. Plenty of patching clings as it recedes.
This beer's overall profile is light but firm, with a gently musty, dusty earthiness and spices under an even base of pale malts with underlying floral and herbal notes, lemon zest gently adding to the depth in each sniff and each sip. A lightly dry, vinous sort of character is a major part of the character.
The feel is bright, crisp and clean in a light body with a strong carbonation that doesn't take away from the soft strength, but it does add a strong spritziness that, with the dryness, throws things off ever so slightly.